Chapter 86: It’s Going on Sale, Let’s Have a Simple Chat

The author is a newcomer. This isn’t my first book, but it’s the one with the best results. It’s actually my first time writing an apocalyptic novel, and I didn’t expect to receive so much support from so many friends.

First of all, I want to thank all the readers who have followed the story this far for your patience.

This is how it is for new authors. When I started writing, I didn’t have a very clear plan. The initial outline for this book was actually just apocalyptic farming, upgrading an invincible war chariot, and then living a carefree life, collecting a harem, and leisurely lying in a well-stocked, fortress-like train car while facing the overwhelming tide of zombies outside, comfortably living the apocalyptic life.

I believe many people who watch apocalyptic TV shows, movies, and novels have fantasized about or enjoy this feeling. That’s why novels about building apocalyptic shelters have been quite popular in recent years. Initially, I also wanted to go in this direction, and from the setting and synopsis, you would also think it was heading that way.

But writing a story is different from imagining the victorious outcome.

For example: once the permanent shelter is built, the thrill only lasts for a little while. After you’ve shown off and put everyone in the community in their place, what then…

Another example: the train is upgraded into an invincible fortress, there’s no danger, and you have a full sense of security. You spend a few days enjoying life with beautiful women inside the steel fortress. How do you write the next chapter…

Cultivation?

So I started to rethink, to build the setting, wanting to write a dangerous apocalypse.

And in an apocalypse, survival and a lack of security are the core themes.

A sense of security is built and acquired step by step, but the night holds countless possibilities. The crisis of survival is ever-present. With crisis comes motivation.

If, in an apocalyptic novel, the protagonist no longer has a survival crisis, wouldn’t it just become a fantasy novel about leveling up and face-slapping?

From many of the earlier comments, you all can probably tell that the development of this book has deviated somewhat from the direction many readers ‘thought’ it would go.

For example, some feel that an apocalyptic story should have a lone wolf protagonist, and they started complaining about there being a female character from the very first chapter. But if I don’t write female characters, others will complain that I’m a eunuch.

For example, some feel that in an apocalypse, one should hunker down and develop, then become invincible and stroll out with a full sense of security. They keep scolding me, asking why I don’t let the protagonist stop and develop with such an awesome ability.

(It was precisely to avoid this problem that I designed a battle-royale-style apocalypse, set a time-devouring mechanic, energy consumption, and unknown dangers, and emphasized the functionality of the protagonist’s ability rather than its combat prowess. The purpose was specifically to prevent everyone from thinking about hunkering down. Many people feel that the protagonist’s mechanical ability is so heaven-defying that it should be used this way or that way, and that the author’s way of writing is just dumbing him down. I was just short of adding a setting like [The protagonist is forbidden from hunkering down; he will die if he stays in one place for more than 24 hours]…) Helpless… ╮(╯＿╰)╭

PS: I actually listened to the opinions in the comment section. As a result, I really did stop to rest and develop for three or four chapters, and then I was scolded for the story being too slow…

Another example is those who feel that an apocalyptic protagonist should be decisive and ruthless in killing. Any supporting character who has the slightest thought or scheme should be killed in one blow. All characters should either be loyal underlings responsible for expressing shock, or vicious villains who show up just to be killed.

But I have never labeled the protagonist as decisive and ruthless. The protagonist is just a college student who has acquired an ability, planning what seems like a crazy escape plan. Moreover, I believe that whether they are supporting characters or passersby, everyone has their own philosophy of survival in the apocalypse.

The protagonist’s ability is just the foundation of the underlying structure. To achieve such a goal, teamwork and huddling together for warmth are necessary.

Friends who have read this far should also see that I am trying to use a long narrative to shape a character, like Kiki, like Teacher Chen. Later on, Shasha and new teammates will also have some key plot developments.

From the girl on the helicopter in the first chapter, to chapters 23-26 which many people criticized, a scheming passenger lacking a sense of security, mutual suspicion, then reconciliation, and gradually understanding the reasons for Kiki’s personality…

I admit my writing is too amateurish and I can’t be like the great authors who can create a vivid character with just a few strokes. I can only use a longer narrative.

…

So, as a new author seeing good results but also being constantly criticized, I was conflicted about how to change, and I started to feel a bit schizophrenic.

However, after guidance from my editor, I adjusted my mentality.

Some people like an apocalyptic story full of a sense of security and showing off. Some people like an apocalypse full of unknowns and survival tests. Every type of story has its own audience.

Actually, some old readers have criticized me, saying it reads like something from ten years ago.

I completely agree with this point.

Because I really haven’t read the novels on Feilu or Fanqie in recent years. I haven’t studied those brand-new formulas, like the fast-paced style of showing off, face-slapping, and displaying power in front of others, where the entire satisfaction cycle doesn’t exceed 3 chapters. I also never intended to write according to that formula (uh… even though the book title has a Feilu style).

As you can see from the synopsis, it’s not the witty, meme-filled, comedic, or the “lie low until you’re supreme” type.

This is a completely unknown adventure of survival.

Natural disasters, blizzards, the night, anomalies, supernatural phenomena, giant sky monsters, puzzle-solving, and combat will all be covered.

Food, water, energy, air, warmth, etc., will create a constant lack of security.

Survival is always the main theme of the apocalypse.

The rolling wheels will always lead to unknown adventures ahead.

…

Finally, I’ve said all that needs to be said. I will work hard to release more chapters and hope to write an apocalyptic novel with flavor and without clichés. I also hope everyone will support me with monthly tickets and subscriptions, and please bear with my shortcomings.

Thank you, my friends. Those who like this book can join the group. When I’m not writing, I’ll chat with everyone about the book’s content. If you have any ideas, you can also share them.

It’s going on sale tomorrow. I’m begging all the big shots who are letting the chapters accumulate to please give me a first subscription. Thank you so much.

My deepest thanks (*^▽^*)~~

It’s going on sale tomorrow. I’m begging all the big shots who are letting the chapters accumulate to please give me a first subscription. Thank you so much.